Phlox plant named ‘IFPHLFC’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘IFPHLFC’, characterized by its compact and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; flowers that are red to red purple and white bi-colored with red purple-colored throats; and good container and garden performance.

Botanical designation: Phlox paniculata.

Cultivar denomination: ‘IFPHLFC’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phlox Plants

Applicant: Jelle van den Haak

Provisional application Ser. No. 62/764,553

Filed: Aug. 7, 2018

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phloxplant, botanically known as Phlox paniculata, typically grown as acontainer and garden Phlox, hereinafter referred to by the name‘IFPHLFC’ and disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/764,553.

The new Phlox plant is a product of a planned breeding program conductedby the Inventor in Andijk, The Netherlands. The objective of thebreeding program is to create new vigorous Phlox plants with numerousattractive flowers.

The new Phlox plant originated from a cross-pollination of a proprietaryselection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number 047-12-K024-02,not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietaryselection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number 9009-05, notpatented, as the male, or pollen, parent in August, 2013. The new Phloxplant was discovered and selected as a single plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled nurseryenvironment in Andijk, The Netherlands in August, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phlox plant by cuttings in a controlledenvironment in Andijk, The Netherlands since February, 2015 has shownthat the unique features of this new Phlox plant are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Phlox plant has not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘IFPHLFC’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘IFPHLFC’ as a new and distinct Phlox plant:

-   -   1. Compact and uniformly mounded plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit.    -   6. Flowers that are red to red purple and white bi-colored with        red purple-colored throats.    -   7. Good container and garden performance.

Plants of the new Phlox and the female parent selection differ primarilyin plant habit as plants of the female parent selection are more compactthan plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Phlox and the male parent selection differ primarilyin the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Phlox are lighter green in color        than leaves of plants of the male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Phlox and the male parent selection differ        in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phlox are red to        red purple and white bi-colored with red purple-colored throats        whereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection are        purple in color.

Plants of the new Phlox can also be compared to plants of Phloxpaniculata ‘Barsixtytwo’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,234. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phlox and ‘Barsixtytwo’differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phlox are more compact than plants of        ‘Barsixtytwo’.    -   2. Plants of the new Phlox are more freely branching than plants        of ‘Barsixtytwo’.    -   3. Plants of the new Phlox and ‘Barsixtytwo’ differ in flower        color as flowers of plants of the new Phlox are red to red        purple and white bi-colored with red purple-colored throats        whereas flowers of plants ‘Barsixtytwo’ are coral red in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phlox plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possibleto obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phlox plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘IFPHLFC’ grown in a container.

The photographs on the second sheet are close-up views of typicalinflorescences (upper photograph) and typical leaves (lower photograph)of ‘IFPHLFC’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the summer in 17-cm containersin an outdoor nursery in Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands and undercultural practices typically used in commercial Phlox production. Duringthe production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 25°C. and night temperatures ranged from 4° C. to 15° C. Plants werepinched five weeks after planting and were 15 weeks old when thephotographs and description were taken. In the following description,color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata ‘IFPHLFC’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox            paniculata identified as code number 047-12-K024-02, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox            paniculata identified as code number 9009-05, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 12 days at            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 16 days at            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 36 days            at temperatures about 18° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 42 days            at temperatures about 18° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, moderately fibrous;            close to 158B to 158C in color, actual color of the roots is            dependent on substrate composition, water quality,            fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and            physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; broadly            upright and relatively compact plant habit; overall shape,            broadly and short inverted triangle; moderately vigorous to            vigorous in growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 28            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 34.4            cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 47.5 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Quantity: About three primary branches and            about twelve secondary branches per plant. Length: About            16.7 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Internode length: About            2.4 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to about 45° from            vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately            glossy. Color: Close to 144A to 144B; at the petiole            attachment, strongly tinged with close to N186C.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—About 10.4 cm.        -   Width.—About 4.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to ovate; moderately carinate.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire; very finely serrate, serrations are            inconspicious.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly rugose; slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly rugose; matte.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137C.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation,            close to N144A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            to 191A; venation, close to 144C.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm by            3 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Color, upper surface: Close to 144C;            proximally, tinged with close to N186C. Color, lower            surface: Close to 144C.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Single rotate and            salverform flowers arranged in compound terminal panicles;            flowers face upright to outwardly; panicles roughly            hemispherical in shape; freely flowering habit with about            450 flowers developing per inflorescence and about 4,000            flowers developing per plant during the flowering season.        -   Fragrance.—Moderately fragrant; sweet, pleasant.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about 15            weeks after planting; long flowering period, plants flower            continuously throughout the summer in The Netherlands.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about ten days on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Shape: Oblanceolate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Color: Close to 68A; tube, between 59B and            61A; developing calyx, close to 145A to 145B with axillary            stripes, close to N199B.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 16 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 17 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 2.5 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 2 cm.        -   Flower throat diameter.—About 4 mm.        -   Flower tube length.—About 1.7 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single            whorl; petals fused at the base into a narrow tube; free            parts moderately imbricate. Length (including tube): About            2.9 cm; 62.5% of the petal is fused. Lobe width: About            1.4 cm. Lobe shape: Spatulate. Lobe apex: Obtuse. Margin:            Entire; slightly to moderately undulate. Texture and luster,            upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately velvety; matte.            Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Texture, throat: Smooth, glabrous;            moderately velvety. Texture, tube: Moderately pubescent.            Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 52A; towards            the throat, close to NN155D. When opening, lower surface:            Close to 52B to 52D flushed with close to 72B and NN155D.            Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 58C; towards the            throat, close to N155A; venation, similar to lamina colors;            color does not change with development. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 58D flushed with close to 77B and NN155D;            venation, similar to lamina colors; color does not change            with development. Throat: Close to 64B; venation, close to            64B. Tube: Close to N80A; venation, close to N80A.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single            whorl, fused towards the base; calyx, campanulate. Length:            About 9 mm; 43% of the sepal is fused. Width: About 1.5 mm.            Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Narrowly apiculate. Margin: Entire;            not undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: When opening,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145A to 145B; axillary            stripes, close to N199B; towards the margins, close to 145D.            Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145C;            axillary stripes, close to N199B; towards the margins, close            to 145D; venation, close to N199B.        -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncles: About 13 cm.            Diameter, terminal peduncles: About 2.5 mm. Aspect, primary            peduncles: Erect. Aspect, secondary peduncles: About 45°            from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; moderately glossy. Color: Between 143B and 144A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Angle:            About 20° from the peduncle axis. Strength: Moderately            strong. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent; moderately            glossy. Color: Close to 143B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Typically            five. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament color: Close to            N155A. Anther size: About 1.5 mm by 1 mm. Anther shape:            Narrowly oblong. Anther color: Close to 159D. Pollen amount:            Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 160B. Pistils: Quantity per            flower: One. Pistil length: About 1.2 cm. Style length:            About 1 cm. Style color: Close to 182C; proximally, close to            145B. Stigma size: About 1.5 mm by 1.5 mm. Stigma shape:            Cleft, three-parted. Stigma color: Close to 150D. Ovary            color: Close to 143C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Phlox.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Phlox have been observed to    have good garden performance and tolerate rain, wind, high    temperatures about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness.    Zones 6 through 10.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Phlox have been not    been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Phlox    plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘IFPHLFC’ asillustrated and described.